County crime up 22 percent
By James Cullum
Overall crime in Fairfax County increased by nearly 22 percent for the first quarter 2008 compared to first quarter figures from last year.Of the seven categories used to evaluate crime statistics, only two categories, rape and robbery, showed declines. Between January 2008 and March 2008, there were 27 rapes countywide, eight less than that same period last year. There were 155 robberies in the first quarter of 2007 and 113 the first quarter this year.
The most striking increase was in the number of larcenies, skyrocketing from 2,851 in the first quarter of 2007 to 3,643 in 2008.
Overall, property crimes, including burglary, larceny and car theft increased 24 percent, echoing "what appears to be happening in other localities in the region," police said.
Recent figures released by county police revealed a 6 percent increase in overall crime in 2007 compared with the previous year. Violent crime over that period increased by 4 percent.
Recently, Prince William County reported a 19.3 percent decline in crime, with chairman of the Board of County Supervisors Corey Stewart attributing the downturn to the hard line the county has taken toward illegal immigrants.
"One quarter doesn't tell us a lot," said county police spokeswoman Mary Ann Jennings. "It shows us where they may be some trends developing," however, the statistics won't mean much until the second quarter figures are released at the end of August, Jennings said.